Cyclone-affected children return to school

Wellington, 25 July 2008. –
Thousands of cyclone-affected school children in Myanmar
have been able to return to school thanks to help from
UNICEF.

When Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar in May it left a
trail of destruction with the United Nations estimating more
than 84,000 people dead and more than 53,000 missing. In the
hard hit Irrawddy Delta region, destruction and damage
affecting nearly 60 per cent of the area’s public schools
prevented classes starting on time.

UNICEF NZ Executive
Director Dennis McKinlay says recovery and relief efforts
have progressed well in the Irrawaddy Delta, allowing more
than 6,000 children to get back to school.

‘One of the
key priorities for UNICEF in an emergency, once immediate
needs have been met, is to get children back to school,’
he says.

‘UNICEF and its partners have set up 123 large
tents in the area that serve as safe learning spaces for
children whose schools were destroyed. Classroom furniture
has also been supplied to 56 temporary schools along with
essential learning materials.

‘Out of this terrible
disaster has come the opportunity to build back better,
stronger and more child-friendly schools. Seven model
schools have already been constructed to provide a blueprint
for quality schools of the future.’

Mr McKinlay says
that reopening schools as quickly as possible has been vital
to restoring children’s sense of well-being.

‘Schools
not only provide a safe and nurturing place to learn away
from the threat of recruitment into the military, but also
allow better monitoring of the social and health wellbeing
of children.

‘Returning to school has given these
children and their families a chance to resume the rhythm of
a normal life and have the opportunity to prepare for a
brighter
future.’

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